Electrically heated mineral or masonry material seat

ABSTRACT

An electrically heated stone or composite material bench that is suitable for both inside and outdoor use and providing added comfort to the seated user in colder climates or conditions. The stone bench has upright supports ( 29  and  31 ) and a bottom seat ( 23 ) and may or may not contain an upright back support ( 21 ). A length of commercially produced electrical heating cable ( 33 ) is embedded in each of the hollowed out rock slabs that comprise the seat and back. The cable is inlaid in a spiral pattern at a distance of around 1.5 inches apart, with around 35 feet of cable used per rock slab. The amount of cable is dependent on the climate and needs of user. Electrical connections are made in a junction box ( 39 ) attached to the underside of bench and attached to a power cord ( 37 ). Steel pins or bolts securely fasten and stabilize assembled heated stone bench.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention is related to the heating of stone or composite material by means of a electrical element to enhance the comfort of a seated user.

2. Description of Prior Art

Electrically heated seating to provide additional comfort to a seated user as well as the concept of heating concrete to keep snow and ice off driveways, etc. are both recognized inventions. Heated stadium seat, U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,659 to McDowell (2001) discloses an electrical application for a heated seat suitable for outdoor use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,155 assigned to Hill, (1993), shows an electrical heating device encased in polymer cement and a method of making same. A Pre-cast Heating panel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,745 to Deschenes (1986), describes a heating panel embedded in fiber-reinfored mortar. Also noteworthy is U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,992 by Schmitt, (2003) which demonstrates a heating platform formed by boards or planks and containing an electric heating cable. McCarthy, (1980) uses a body of concrete with a heating element to provide a warmed resting place for reptiles in U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,780.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention an electrically heated mineral or composite material seat comprises a seating device with upright supports and contains an electrical heating element to provide said user enhanced comfort in colder temperatures.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The object of my invention combines the concepts of electrical heating and stone or composite material in the form of a bench that will provide added comfort to the seated user. While the seat melts snow and ice, the intent of my invention is to primarily allow increased heat and comfort to the user in colder climates or lower temperatures.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of front and backside of the assembled bench without electricity.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the stone furniture as indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the bench seat and back showing the notched joints

FIG. 4 is a view looking down on the upright supports and both the front and back cover panels.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rock slab that contains a heating cable.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of back bench panel with heating calbe installed.

FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the heating element inlaid in the seat.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

21 seat back 23 seat bottom 25 rear cover panel 27 front cover panel 29 right upright support 31 left upright support 33 heating element 35 concrete or epoxy filler 37 power cord 39 junction box 41 insulating sheet cover

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the heated stone slab bench is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 as a basic version of my invention, a seating device made of stone or masonry composite that can be made to any width, height or length, and have varying weight or color of stone or concrete. The bench includes a seat bottom 23 that is laid on two evenly spaced upright supports 29 and 31 of desired height. The stone chair can include a seat back 21 that is notched at the base to fit securely into the seat bottom 23. A front cover panel 27 and a rear cover panel 25 hide the electrical element 33, adding stability to the upright supports 29 and 31 and the seat back and bottom 21 and 23.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the notched joints that add stablility to the assembled bench back and bottom 21 and 23 while FIG. 4 clarifies the placement and perspective of the legs 29 and 31.

FIG. 5 demonstrates the heating element 33 embedded in the bench back and bottom 21 and 23. Accordingly, the heating means comprises a self-regulating cable 33 such as commercially-sold Technictrace 15PMI-Parallel self-regulating heater 15 W/Ft (49 w/m) G 10 degrees C. 120 V. (FM) max. temperature 185 degrees C. max amps 32 temperature code T3 053390 0036 Ft) is inlaid in the rock slabs 21 and 23 in either a spiral or wave pattern (side to side) with the distance of the cable 33 to be inlaid between 1 and 5 inches apart, depending on the desired maximum temperature.

FIG. 6 shows the rear view of the bench back 21 with embedded electrical element 33. Two heat cables 33 are connected at the junction box 39 to the power cord 37. Wire connections are made in the commercially purchased junction box 39 and contain a commercially-acquired thermostat with probe, (not shown). The probe is located outside the junction box 39 and extends to the bottom rock slab 23. A powercord 37 must be used with a commercially-acquired ground fault interrupter (not shown) as governed by U.S. electrical safety standards. Steel pins, bolts and or tie wire (not shown) hold the junction box 39 in place securely.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross section view of the heating element 33 inlaid in seat back and bottoms 21 and 23 after the rock slabs 21 and 23 have been hollowed to receive the electrical cable 33. An insulating sheet cover 41 such as a commercially-sold space blanket in a four layer thickness is placed on heating cable 33 in said slabs 21 and 23. Steel pins, (not shown) that secure the heating element 33 in hollowed rock casings 21 and 23 are pressed into insulating sheet 41. Spiral heating element 33 is sealed in bench parts 21 and 23 with mortar or adhesive epoxy material 35.

Operation

Hollowing slabs and drilling holes—The manner of building a heated stone or conglomerate material bench requires two stone slabs 21 and 23 to be hollowed to an approximate 2 inch depth for a 4 inch thickness of rock. Two holes are drilled into each leg 29 and 31 as shown in FIG. 2. to attach front and rear cover 25 and 27 with bolts (not shown). Two holes are drilled into either side of front and rear covers 25 and 27 to receive legs 29 and 31 by use of bolts. An approximate three inch deep hole is drilled in underside of bottom slab 23 above where junction box 39 will be mounted. This hole will be used to mount probe (not shown) when connections are made.

Placement of the heating element 33 in hollowed out slabs 21 and 23 can be made in a spiral or wave pattern. The spiral pattern allows for the most cable per square inch, higher temperatures and is the preferred method. Steel pins are placed approximately one to two inches apart to keep cable 33 evenly spaced in said slabs 21 and 23.

An insulating sheet cover 41 such as a commercially-sold space blanket in a four layer thickness is placed on heating cable 33 in said slabs 21 and 23. Steel pins, (not shown) that secure the heating element 33 in hollowed rock casings 21 and 23 are pressed into insulating sheet 41. Spiral heating element 33 is sealed in bench parts 21 and 23 with mortar or adhesive epoxy material 35. The mortared or epoxied areas of seating panels 21 and 23 receive color to match the stone color by use of latex additive, cement and stone dust (not shown).

To assemble bench, place legs 29 and 31 at equal distances to fit the length of slabs 21 and 23. The narrow portion of the legs 29 and 31 are pointing upwards to support back of seat 21. Place bench bottom 23 on legs 29 and 31, with notched edge facing upwards and toward back of legs 29 and 31. Seat back 21 is set into place with notched edge facing mirrored notched edge of bottom seat 23, with back 21 resting against upright portion of legs 29 and 31.

Wire connections-Two heat cables 33 are connected at the junction box 39 to the power cord 37. Wire connections are made in the commercially-purchased junction box 39 and contain a commercially-acquired thermostat with probe, (not shown). The probe is located outside and above the junction box 39 and extends to the bottom rock slab 23 where previous hole was drilled. A powercord 37 must be used with a commercially-acquired ground fault interrupter (not shown) as governed by U.S. electrical safety standards. Each hollowed out slab 21 and 23 contain approximately 35 feet of heating cable 33 that is placed around 1.5 inches apart, depending on desired degree of heat Steel pins, bolts and or tie wire (not shown) hold the junction box 39 in place securely.

To make the connections at the junction box a positive wire in each heating element 33 in back and bottom bench 21 and 23 are attached to positive wire on power cord 37. Negative wires in elements 33 attach to negative wire on power cord 37. Ground wires from electrical elements 33 are attached to ground wire on power source 37.

Final Installation—To install front and rear cover panels 25 and 27 to upright supports 31 and 29, use bolts that fit the size of previously drilled hole. Additional holes can be drilled and bolts added for greater stabilization of bench. Plug power cord 37 into regulation ground fault interrupter outlet

Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope of Invention

This indoor/outdoor heated stone or concrete bench contains a heating cable embedded in its back and seat portions to provide enhanced comfortability while seated thereon in colder environments and temperatures. While my description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this bench. For example; the stone benches can have heated arms, or may be packaged in the form of a heated stone stool top with wooden or metal legs or a low to the ground stone heated platforms that can be used for warming feet. 

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 5. A stone or masonry composite seat and backrest that is placed on upright supports and is heated by means of a heat trace cable that is inlaid in the seat and backrest areas:
 6. An electrically heated stone bench according to claim 5 wherein a thermostat is installed in the bottom slab to adjust the surface temperature.
 7. An electrically heated stone bench according to claim 5 wherein insulation such as layers of space blanket material are installed behind the heat cable in the seat and backrest sections. 